October 2011

October 27, 2011

We are enjoying all of the beauty and activities that go along with my favorite season. At the moment I am under the weather but doing my best to enjoy the activities that are going on around me and anticipating trick or treat with the boys, some cousins and some friends tonight.

October 19, 2011

The thunder started last night and the rain hasn't stopped since. I started the morning in the dark, for a morning run with my running buddy. It was cold at first but by the middle of the run the rain felt great just as I knew it would. I drove home soaked and took a warm shower. Then I enjoyed a hot cup of coffee in the kitchen next to the wood burning stove that had been burning all night. I made the dreamy creamy scone recipe my friend Linsdey introduced me to and the boys and I enjoyed every bite.

With an idea brewing in his head, Ben asked me to help him get geared up to go out in the rain this afternoon and checking on him I saw him with some PVC pipe. He loves to channel the water down this pipe and watch objects float from one end to the other.

We'll finish the day with our favorite lasagna. Sometimes a good rainy day is just what I need.

October 11, 2011

Today he turned five and before the sun came up we began the celebration. We all gathered around the candles in the dark and sang to him and his brother lifted him up so he could blow out the candles. He and his brother had a picnic breakfast on a blanket on the floor with cinammon rolls as I told them about the day Ben was born. How there was a tornado that day and everyone in the hospital, patients included, had to sit in the hallways. This is how Miles and Ben met, in a crowded hallway during a tornado.

Ben got to spend a great day with some of his cousins, playing with his new remote control John Deere gator and hiking in the woods. Then we had hotdogs for dinner at his request. At Miles soccer practice I took him over to the playground and also at his request I followed him around, watching him play. He delighted in narrating his play and he even conqured climbing up a tower of tires secured to the middle of the wooden playstructure and we both decided that it must be because he's five now.

A few days ago we gathered some friends and family for a party to celebrate and the day was filled with face painting, a pinata, balloon popping and a tractor cake. Today he is intense, today he is cuddly, today he is strong-willed, today he is curious, today he is both shy and outgoing and today he is five.

October 09, 2011

The weekend was perfect. Perfect weather, beautiful colors, and celebrating a 5th birthday with lots of friends and family. I'll post more about the birthday celebration on Tuesday when he actually makes the official jump from 4 to 5.

All weekend I tried to soak in the colors of the leaves around us, knowing that this beauty is so fleeting. On Sunday we took a trip to the pumpkin patch and celebrated fall with mazes, slides and choosing just the right pumpkin.